Pregnancy Support

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

Although the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle habits during pregnancy is common knowledge, did you know that even in industrialized countries like the U.S. and Canada, pregnant mothers are at increased risk of inadequate intakes of many nutrients? As surprising as this might initially sound, it is in many ways, to be expected. According to recent statistics, the majority of pregnant women report being unsure about what they should eat and drink during their term. In fact, 60% of women polled said they did not know which foods were safe to consume during pregnancy. Foods that posed the most confusion included cheese, shellfish, eggs, tuna, and nuts.

This is why we've put together a list of the tops foods to include in your diet when you are pregnant, as well as which foods you should try to avoid as much as possible. We've also highlighted the top nutrients a gestating mother and growing fetus both need to thrive. Read on…

DIET FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

Eating a nutritious diet during pregnancy is of paramount importance and has been associated with good brain development and healthy birth weight. A healthy, nutrient-rich diet is also the most effective way to reduce the risk of many birth defects. A healthy pregnancy diet should include an adequate supply of high-quality protein, fresh fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, and plenty of healthy fats. Choose unsaturated fats and limit unhealthy saturated and trans fats. Healthy fats are found in olive oil, canola, and other vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, avocados, and fatty fish like salmon. Include plenty of calcium-rich, and iron-rich foods, as well as ample vitamin C foods like citrus. Probiotics are also a wise addition to your diet throughout pregnancy. Indeed, studies indicate that a probiotic supplement during pregnancy can help to prevent preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, vaginal infections, infant and maternal weight gain, and even allergic diseases.

FOODS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

On the list of naughty foods and beverages to avoid during your pregnancy, you will find obvious things like alcohol, caffeine, raw eggs, deli meats, high-mercury fish like swordfish, marlin, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish. Organ meats, raw or rare seafood and meat, raw sprouts, unwashed produce, unpasteurized, milk, cheese, and fruit juice should also all be avoided, and of course, stay away from all processed junk food.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PREGNANCY SUPPORT SUPPLEMENTS FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY

Pregnancy is a time where it’s critical for both mom and baby to be getting all the necessary nutrients they need to meet the physiologic needs of the mother and the metabolic demands of the fetus. A high-quality prenatal multivitamin is worth spending a little more money on, and should not be thought of like a splurge, because you're very realistically investing in your child's health and wellbeing for life. Look for a prenatal multi that supplies additional iron since this mineral plays a key role in the transfer of oxygen to tissues and pregnant women are also at higher risk of iron deficiency. You'll also want to look for at least 0.8 to 1 mg of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects and abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord. (You should ideally be taking folate at least 3 before conception). Your prenatal should also supply solid doses of calcium, vitamin D, Essential Fatty acids – especially DHA, which is essential for proper brain growth and eye development of the baby. A high-quality prenatal should also supply the whole B family of vitamins, as well as vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, zinc, and last but certainly not least, choline which is essential for fetal brain development and placental function.

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